12 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. A role for India in South-South climate cooperation

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

India’s Position on Article 6.2

• India, the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in absolute terms, faces challenges in balancing development and climate commitments due to financial constraints.
• India has committed to reducing emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 but requires substantial financial and technical support.
• Before COP29, India reiterated its demand for developed countries to mobilize at least $1 trillion annually for climate finance.

India’s Domestic Carbon Market and Prior Experience

• India launched its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2023 to integrate market mechanisms into national policies.
• While CCTS is not directly linked to Article 6.2, it strengthens India’s framework for tracking and verifying carbon credits transparently.
• India has prior experience with carbon markets, including:
  • Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
  • Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM)
  • Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts)
  • Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
• This experience positions India well for engagement in ITMO transactions.

India’s Areas of Collaboration under Article 6.2

• India has identified 14 key activities for international collaboration, including:
  • Renewable Energy (RE)
  • Energy storage
  • Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
  • Green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel
• These projects require advanced expertise and investments, which India seeks through partnerships with countries like South Korea, the European Union, and Japan.
• ITMO transactions will help India meet its NDCs, promote green jobs, and reduce health issues caused by pollution.

Opportunities for India

• South-South Cooperation: India can support climate finance in developing countries rather than relying only on developed nations.
• Renewable Energy Growth: India’s renewable energy sector received over $10 billion in foreign direct investment in 2022. ITMO transactions can expand such investments in other developing nations.
• India-Africa Collaboration: Africa has vast renewable energy potential and urgent climate challenges. India’s expertise in green technology can help African nations.
• Balancing Benefits with Partners: ITMO transactions will follow mutual agreements. A model like Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) may be used, ensuring fair carbon credit sharing.

Challenges for India in ITMO Transactions

• Risk of Over-reliance by Developed Nations: Rich countries may use India’s low-cost emissions reductions instead of reducing their own carbon footprint, increasing India’s burden.
• Opportunity Costs: Selling ITMOs could limit India’s ability to use them for its own climate goals.
• Transparency and Governance Issues: Weak rules may create inefficiencies and unfair outcomes. Ensuring fair benefit-sharing is crucial.
• Need for Safeguards: ITMO agreements must have strong protections for transparency and fair benefits, ensuring they align with India’s economic and climate interests.

Conclusion

• Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement offers India significant opportunities to secure climate finance, expand renewable energy, and strengthen South-South cooperation.
• India’s partnerships with developed and developing nations can accelerate green technology deployment and economic sustainability.
• However, India must carefully navigate challenges, ensuring that ITMO transactions do not compromise its own climate goals while maximizing financial and technological benefits.

2. Addressing the growing threat of forest fires

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Rising Concerns Over Forest Fires

• Forest fires receive attention only after major incidents occur, despite their increasing frequency and devastating impacts.
• These fires serve as reminders that no place is immune, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions.

Devastating Consequences of Forest Fires

• Environmental Impact:
  • Forest fires destroy trees, wildlife, and biodiversity.
  • They contribute to high carbon emissions, with Indian forest fires emitting 69 million tonnes of CO₂ annually (World Resources Institute).
  • Fires disrupt the water cycle and reduce soil fertility.
• Economic Impact:
  • Loss of timber and other forest products affects forest-dependent communities.
  • Forest degradation, including fires, causes an annual economic loss of ₹1.74 lakh crore (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 2018).
• Social Impact:
  • Fires force wildlife to move into human settlements, increasing human-wildlife conflicts.
  • They threaten the livelihoods of local communities relying on forests for resources.

Existing Policies and Initiatives

• The National Action Plan on Forest Fires and the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) help states manage fires.
• The FFPMS provides financial assistance to states for fire prevention.

Challenges in Forest Fire Management

• Budget Constraints:
  • Funding for the FFPMS has fluctuated over the years:
    • ₹46.40 crore (2019-20) → ₹28.25 crore (2022-23)
    • Projected ₹51 crore for 2023-24 was later reduced to ₹40 crore.
  • More consistent financial support is needed for effective fire management.
• Technological Limitations:
  • The current Forest Fire Alert System struggles to differentiate between forest fires and other types of fires, delaying responses.
  • Advanced predictive models using climatic and geographic data can help identify high-risk areas.
  • Drones with thermal imaging can improve monitoring and firefighting efforts.

Strengthening Community Involvement

• Local communities play a crucial role in reporting and managing fires.
• Mobile applications, toll-free helplines, and SMS alerts can improve early warning systems.
• Women’s self-help groups in some states collect dry pine needles to reduce fire risks.
• Global models like Nepal’s Community Forest User Groups and Indonesia’s Fire-Free Village Program can guide India in strengthening community-based forest fire management.

The Way Forward

• Forest fires impact the environment, economy, and society, making it essential to address them through multi-sector collaboration.
• Key solutions include:
  • Policy support and better budgeting to ensure continuous funding.
  • Technology adoption for better prediction, monitoring, and response.
  • Training and empowering local communities for real-time fire reporting and management.

Conclusion

• A combined effort from policymakers, scientists, civil society groups, and communities is needed to tackle the growing threat of forest fires effectively.

Check more… 11 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis